Hospitality Daily Podcast Josiah Mackenzie

I'm planning to make two changes to this podcast moving forward and would love your feedback:
Email me: josiah@ [hospitalitydaily]Leave me a message here on the podcast website (hit the microphone button in the bottom right to leave me a voicemail)Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

This episode is going to be quite different than most - you're going to be joining me on a little road trip with James Lemon, who started in hospitality at a small bed & breakfast in England and then went on to eventually work in strategy and innovation at IHG before building a hospitality mentorship community and then today leading travel and hospitality for Stripe. (See our other episode: Making payments more hospitable)

In this episode, you'll hear us cover a wide range of topics, including:
The formative experiences of growing up in the hospitality industry and how they can shape career paths.The transition from finance to strategy and the importance of asking the right questions to drive innovation.The challenges and strategies behind implementing a major technology initiative (free Wi-Fi) across a major hotel chain, with lessons in change management and owner relations.The value of piloting new technologies in hotels and how to gain traction with innovative projects.The importance of continuous learning and networking for hospitality leaders and how to effectively engage with tech vendors.The characteristics of successful hotel innovators and the impact of execution on career and business growth.Whether you're a hospitality veteran or new to the industry, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help you navigate the complexities of innovation and service in the travel and hospitality sector. Get ready to hit the road with us and dive into the world of hospitality innovation with Josiah and James!

Timestamps:
00:01:05 - James's Background in Hospitality
00:02:31 - Early Career and Learning Service
00:03:03 - The Value of Experience Outside Hospitality
00:04:22 - Transition to IHG and Corporate Strategy
00:05:05 - IHG's Business Model and Brand Strategy
00:06:08 - James's Move to IHG and Role in Strategy
00:07:07 - First Impressions and Challenges at IHG
00:08:01 - Learning Corporate Strategy and Execution
00:09:05 - Mentorship and Growth at IHG
00:13:03 - The Process of Driving Innovation
00:17:06 - Building a Business Case for Hotel Innovations
00:19:02 - Convincing Hotel Owners to Adopt New Technology
00:23:11 - The Importance of Advocates for Owners in Hotel Brands
00:25:48 - The Role of Piloting Technology in Innovation
00:27:17 - The Strategy Behind Attending Hotel Events
00:29:33 - The Importance of Keeping Up with Industry Innovations
00:31:23 - The Role of Mavericks in Hospitality Innovation
00:32:09 - The Impact of Communication and Personal Branding
00:34:39 - Recognizing Genuine Hotel Innovators
00:37:11 - The Value of Case Studies in Hospitality
00:38:14 - Real-World Examples of Hotel Technology Implementation
00:40:20 - Learning from Other Industries vs. Hospitality-Specific Use Cases
Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, you'll hear me talk with Ed Skapinok, Chief Commercial Officer at Appellation, about something that's been on my mind recently: the role of operations in success in hospitality.  Listen to me share my thoughts on this, and then get his take - which I found interesting because he doesn't have operations in his job title but cares deeply about building a thriving hospitality business.

More episodes with Ed:
Culinary-Forward Luxury HospitalityReimagining Hospitality Through TechnologyTech, Talent & Strategy: What One of Hospitality's Hottest New Companies Is Doing Now to InnovateWhat We've Learned Running Community ProgramsMusic by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, we're joined by Bob Gilbert, the President and CEO of HSMAI, who shares his thoughts on one of the key trends covered in HSMAI's 2023 -2024 HSMAI State of Talent Report: leading a multigenerational workforce well.
Listeners will learn about:
Effective Leadership: Strategies for leading a workforce that includes Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.Leveraging Experience: How to tap into the wisdom and expertise of older workers, particularly those aged 65 and above.Generational Differences: Adapting to the unique needs and expectations of different age groups within the hospitality sector.Attractive Workplaces: Creating environments that appeal to employees of all ages, with a focus on flexibility and inclusivity.Continual Learning: The importance of staying informed and adapting to new trends, such as the gig economy and fractional staffing.Practical Advice: Real-world examples and actionable tips for hospitality professionals looking to innovate and improve their talent management strategies.Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges of a diverse workforce and foster a culture of growth and learning in your hospitality business.
Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Bob Gilbert is the President and CEO of HSMAI, the largest hospitality sales and marketing professional society in the world. In this episode, we explore the evolution of the hospitality industry and the pivotal role of HSMAI in shaping the careers of professionals in this field.
Listeners will learn about:
HSMAI's Mission: The core objectives of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International and how it has remained a cornerstone for industry professionals.Adapting to Change: Learn about the association's ability to stay relevant through decades of industry shifts, from the advent of the internet to the rise of AI.Celebrating Milestones: Discover the plans for HSMAI's centennial celebration in 2027 and the initiatives to build for the association's future.Global Relevance: Uncover the strategies that keep HSMAI valuable globally amidst rapid changes in the hospitality landscape.Volunteer Engagement: Find out how HSMAI leverages volunteer councils and industry engagement to maintain its edge and provide value to its members.Rising Leaders Council: Hear about the innovative platform for under-30 professionals to share their unique perspectives and challenges.Industry Priorities: Get a rundown of the current hot topics and challenges in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization that are at the top of industry leaders' minds.Talent Development: Learn about HSMAI's mission to attract, develop, and engage talent in the hospitality industry and the role of its foundation in this endeavor.Success Traits: Identify the key traits and attitudes necessary for thriving in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.Commercial Function Evolution: Gain insights into the exciting developments in commercial strategy alignment and the impact of the pandemic on breaking down silos.Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jason Kycek - Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing - and his teams at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas - turned around the performance of their resort business, with revenue soaring by 86%. In this conversation, you'll learn more about this property, what wasn't working, and the changes they made to achieve this growth. 

Regardless of whether you work in sales, marketing, revenue, or operations, there are lessons for everyone in hospitality in this episode. 
Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands